Video presentations are quickly becoming a go-to tool for marketing, training, and internal communication. Whether you're pitching to stakeholders, onboarding new employees, or sharing insights with your team, a well-crafted video presentation can make your message more engaging and memorable than a traditional slide deck.
Studies show that viewers retain 95% of a message in video form compared to just 10% when reading text. This makes video an essential medium for business professionals looking to improve clarity, engagement, and retention.
In this guide, we'll break down how to make a video presentation step by step, covering everything from structuring your content to choosing the right tools and ensuring professional quality.
Step-by-step guide to making a video presentation
Creating an effective video presentation requires more than just recording a slideshow. A well-structured video presentation ensures your message is clear, engaging, and memorable. When done right, it captures attention, conveys complex ideas with ease, and enhances your audience's understanding.
With a careful, step-by-step approach, you can avoid common pitfalls like disengaged viewers, confusing visuals, or poorly executed audio.
Whether you're presenting a product, delivering a training session, or sharing an important company update, the right approach makes all the difference in achieving your goals. So let’s dive into each step:
Step 1: Structure your presentation
A strong foundation is key to a successful video presentation. Without a clear structure, your audience may struggle to follow along or lose interest. Structuring your presentation ensures that your message is delivered in a logical, engaging, and digestible manner. Whether you’re persuading a client, educating an audience, or leading a team, a well-structured presentation keeps viewers engaged and focused on the key takeaways.
For example, a sales pitch video should start with a compelling problem statement, provide clear solutions, and end with a strong call to action to encourage conversions.
- Define your key message and objectives: What do you want your audience to learn or do after watching?
- Organize content logically: Follow a clear structure, with an introduction, key points, and conclusion.
- Keep slides concise and visually engaging: Avoid text-heavy slides. Use visuals to support your points. For example, instead of listing statistics, use an infographic to make the data more digestible.
- Collect all necessary assets: This includes images, charts, supporting data, and any branding elements like logos and colors.
Step 2: Decide on a format
The format of your video presentation plays a crucial role in how well your message resonates with your audience. A well-chosen format enhances engagement, clarity, and retention, making your content more effective. Whether you're delivering a training session, pitching a product, or sharing company updates, selecting the right format ensures your message is not only heard but remembered by your target audience.
For instance, if you're conducting a software demo, a screen recording with a voiceover will provide a clear and instructive experience. On the other hand, if you're sharing leadership insights, a talking-head video can add a personal and authentic touch, fostering a stronger connection with your audience.
- Talking head videos: Great for personal engagement and direct communication, especially in thought leadership and business updates.
- Screen recording + voiceover: Ideal for software demos, tutorials, and explainer videos where visuals are key. For instance, a SaaS company might use this to walk users through a new feature.
- AI avatars and voiceovers: Perfect for scaling content while maintaining a polished and professional look, such as corporate training videos.
- Hybrid approach: Combining talking head, slides, and screen recordings can maximize engagement by catering to different learning styles.
Step 3: Choose a platform
The right tools make video creation easier and more efficient for content creators. When selecting a platform, look for features that simplify production and enhance presentation quality. Choosing the best platform depends on your specific needs, whether you prioritize ease of use, AI-powered features, pricing, or in-depth customization.
For example, a marketing team looking to create branded video presentations might opt for VEED due to its AI-powered editing and subtitle automation.
Key features to look for:
- Screen recording: Essential for walkthroughs, demos, and tutorials.
- AI avatars: Helps automate presentations with a professional touch.
- Subtitle generation: Makes content accessible and multilingual.
- Easy editing features: Allows quick refinements without a steep learning curve.
Popular video presentation tools:
- VEED – AI-powered editing, screen recording, video presentation templates, and subtitles, perfect for polished and professional content creation.
- Canva – Simple video editing with slide templates, ideal for marketing presentations and social media content.
- Loom – Quick screen recording and sharing, great for internal team updates and async communication.
- Microsoft PowerPoint – Built-in video recording features, suitable for corporate presentations and educational materials.
Step 4: Edit your video presentation
Editing is where your presentation comes to life. A polished video looks professional and keeps viewers engaged from start to finish.
- Trim unnecessary pauses and filler words for a smooth flow and to maintain audience engagement.
- Add transitions and overlays to enhance engagement and make shifts between topics feel natural. For example, a fade transition can create a seamless flow between sections in an instructional video.
- Include subtitles and captions for accessibility and to cater to viewers who watch on mute. A global company producing training videos can benefit from subtitles in multiple languages to ensure clarity for diverse teams.
- Incorporate background music or sound effects (if appropriate) to add energy and polish. For instance, soft background music can make an instructional video feel more dynamic, while subtle sound effects can highlight key points in a product demo.
- Ensure brand consistency by using your company’s logo, fonts, and colors to create a cohesive and professional look. A company creating onboarding videos for new hires might use branded slide templates and color schemes for uniformity.
🧠 Also read: Introducing Slides to Video by VEED: Turn Your Presentations into Videos
What makes a great video presentation?
Not all video presentations are created equal. To ensure your presentation is effective, focus on these key elements.
Clear and structured storytelling
Great video presentations follow a logical flow that keeps viewers engaged and ensures the message is understood.
- Hook the audience early: Start with a compelling fact, question, or statement to grab attention.
- Follow a logical progression: Keep information clear and easy to follow, using headings and bullet points to break it down.
- End with a strong call to action (CTA): Clearly state what you want the audience to do next. For example, in a sales presentation, your CTA could be to sign up for a demo or schedule a call.
Professional and engaging visuals
- Use high-quality images and graphics to aid comprehension and make content visually appealing.
- Stick to brand colors and fonts for consistency across presentations.
- Avoid cluttered slides by keeping text minimal and use bullet points for readability.
- Use animations and motion graphics strategically. For example, adding subtle animations to highlight key points without distracting from the message.
Strong and confident delivery
- Maintain eye contact in talking head videos to build trust.
- Use a natural, conversational tone for better engagement.
- Pace your speech appropriately by speaking neither too fast nor too slow.
Audio clarity and accessibility
- Use a good microphone to ensure clear sound.
- Minimize background noise and echo for a professional feel.
- Include subtitles and translations for inclusivity and global reach.
Level up your presentations with AI-powered tools
A well-structured video presentation can enhance engagement, improve message retention, and make complex information easier to digest. By choosing the right format, using effective tools, and focusing on quality storytelling, visuals, and audio, you can create compelling presentations that leave a lasting impact.